Launch of space shuttle Endeavor postponed again

WASHINGTON, June 17 (Xinhua) -- NASA on Wednesday postponed the launch of space shuttle Endeavor for the second time due to a hydrogen gas leak during fueling.

Space shuttle Endeavour sits on the launch pad June 17, 2009. (Xinhua/ AFP Photo)

Endeavor was originally scheduled to lift off on June 13, but was postponed because of a leak associated with the gaseous hydrogen venting system outside the shuttle's external fuel tank.

The system is used to carry excess hydrogen safely away from the launch pad.

Endeavor's 16-day STS-127 mission to the International Space Station will feature five spacewalks and complete construction of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory.

Astronauts will attach a platform to the outside of the Japanese module that will allow experiments to be exposed to space.